OSHA wants to fine West Shore firm $280K, says workers were exposed to toxic fumes

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced Tuesday that it plans to fine a West Shore company $280,874 for allowing workers to be overexposed to toxic fumes.

The penalty stems from an investigation conducted in July at Cleveland Brother Inc. in Cumberland County’s Lower Allen Township. The probe was triggered by a complaint that workers were exposed to hexavalent chromium fumes, a known carcinogen, OSHA said.

“Occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium can result in significant adverse health effects for employees,” said David Olah, director of OSHA’s office. “Engineering controls must be implemented and affected employees must be trained to recognize the hazards of this toxic chemical.”

An attempt to obtain comment from Cleveland Brothers was not immediately successful.

OSHA said the firm has 15 days to pay the fine, request an informal conference or contest the penalty before the agency’s review commission.

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